Ferrari's Australian Grand Prix failure is good news for Formula One and for Michael Schumacher's rivals, says race winner David Coulthard.

The McLaren driver refrained from talking up his championship chances after his 13th career victory but felt that Ferrari, winners of 15 of last season's 17 races, had at least been unsettled after years of domination.

"If it was a combination of strategy mistakes and Michael making a mistake, then that is encouraging for Formula One," said the Scot after five times world champion Schumacher finished fourth.

Sunday was the first time since the 2001 Italian Grand Prix that the German had finished outside the top three, a record run of 19 successive rostrums.

Ferrari had been on the past 53 podiums in a row.

"They have looked pretty bullet-proof in the past with regard to strategy and Michael, not being pushed, hasn't made any mistakes," Coulthard said.

"I have always maintained that Michael under pressure will make mistakes and maybe today he showed that.

"The strategy thing is encouraging," added the Scot, overall runner-up to Schumacher in 2001.

"I think they will be rattled. They have such a solid performance of podium results -- that is the first podium they haven't been on for four years."